Terrible customer service, would barely respond to emails, was 5 months late on returning our security deposit and that was ONLY after we consistently called, emailed, AND showed up in person at their office. They are clearly just trying to take advantage of their clientelle. read more

Absolute worst management company! The elevator in my building has broken down 50 times in one year and I've gotten stuck in the elevator and the super wouldn't answer. The elevator doesn't stop on my floor and I have to use the stairs. After reporting this to my super, he brushed it off. Our rent was increased by ten percent tho we are already overcharged. If the location weren't convenient, we never would have lived here. read more

I've come here to add to the myriad of reviews regarding horrific experiences trying to get security deposits back. My roommate and I worked with (a generous phrase) Ramin, Carmen, Taina, and Natalie at various points. At least Taina and Natalie were nice to us, and Natalie eventually updated us when our check was released to us (approximately 4 months after we moved out). Ramin Shalom was useless and rude. He somehow has the time to respond to everyone demanding to be "taken off" the e-mail chain but not to actually execute the return of security deposits. The fact that he spoke to us as if we worked for him and that he did not acknowledge that the problem was EMPIRE'S delay--not anything we did--was infuriating, and is a big reason I am frustrated enough to write this review, even though we did eventually get our check back. Everything about this company screams shady. Often, no one picked up our calls or replied to our e-mails. Many e-mail replies ignored our many questions and just thanked us "for our patience." On many occasions, we were told someone would return our call, and no one ever did. Although we received many bizarre reasons for the delay in returning our deposit over the course of our 4-month struggle to get it, the final refrain was that "the bank" holding our check was taking forever. We finally received our check from Capital One. I have no idea why Capital One would take multiple months to release a check in their holdings. I imagine all these reasons were fake. Remember your rights: New York law requires landlords to return deposits within 14 days. If they do not do so, they forfeit any right to withhold money for damages or repairs they need to make to the rental property. The "reasons" they provide you for not returning a security deposit do not cure the breach of New York tenant law. There is no legal justification for that. Please also be aware that the New York state attorney general's consumer protection office has a mediation procedure that you can begin by filing a complaint. It's called a "Rent Security Complaint." This is a good middle ground if you are not prepared for all-out litigation in small claims court. A VP of Empire reached out to us days after the AG made contact with them on our behalf. By then, Natalie had already told us the check was on our way. I still don't know whether that was a coincidence or driving factor. Either way, do NOT give up--you have legal remedies to obtain your security deposit! Hold this company accountable. read more

Total slumlords. They do nothing to maintain the buildings they manage, they're unresponsive to resident issues and their leasing lady, Rachel, is a total idiot. Would stay away from any of their properties. read more

CORRECTION: YELP thinks I live in San Francisco. I once lived in SF but I moved BACK to NYC 30+ years ago. I signed a lease on my apartment on 163 St in 1993 before the building was sold and Empire took over the management. Sure, the elevator and the furnace are old, but they're rarely out. But when they are down, repairs begin right away. The elevator is hardly ever down for more than a day, the furnace is out rarely. I don't remember the furnace being out for more than three days. I've seen a few mice and some roaches, but the exterminator comes and they're history; never saw a rat inside the building. Outside sometimes, never inside. We did have bedbugs once, years ago, just in our apartment and maybe one other. It was absolutely horrible. The amount of work we had to do was unbelievable. Empire got the exterminators to our apartment right away. The exterminators did their part and we did ours. The bedbugs did not return. Mice, roaches, rats, bedbugs, elevator and furnace problems, all properly addressed. Hey, this is New York. This is a pre-war building. Do the math. The Super is great. Is he a super Super? Who is? Emergencies are fixed ASAP. Non-Emergincees take a little longer and sometimes reminders are in order. The building is kept clean. The garbage and recycling area is in order. The washers and dryers are relatively new, but too expensive. They take a special credit card. I've gone apoplectic over computers, especially printers, but the washer and dryer credit card thing looks like drunken monkeys designed it; it's. Correction, drunken monkeys could have designed something far better. IMHO. Packages sometimes get stolen or the contents stolen and the package left in ruins. There are security cameras. Do they work? Who knows? Theft isn't confined to NYC, it's a national problem like shoplifting, like shipping containers that fall overboard. It's the cost of doing business. Ultimately it's us, the consumer, that pays for everything anyway. Back to, what was it? ... Oh yes, Empire Management. They have too many modern communications devices they apparently don't know how to use. Phones don't get answered by humans. No matter what number you press, according to the phone answering system, you get voice mail. Voice mail erases itself right after you leave a message--it's an improvement over the Mission Impossible technique. All the email you send goes directly to "Trash" or "Spam." It's a feature, not a bug. Not loading paper in the fax machine was a cost-saving thing (I heard someone got a suggestion award for that). I've never had much of a problem with Steven (Are you reading this, Steven? Someone please tell Steven I said something good about him. I could use the points). I've been cordial to him and he with me. Steven is tough, but property management is a tough business. I don't envy him and I don't give him absolution either. Stiff upper lip. This is New York. Huzzah for Rent Stabilization. read more

The worst of the worst. Fabricated rent statements ; building is it in utter disrepair. Steve Kurlander property manager for my building is the arrogant and rude these people will make your life hell, stay very far away. I also gave first month rent last month rent and the security deposit they are saying I only gave first month rent and security deposit which they are not willing to give back. nothing works. There are two elevators one being afraid elevator it was not repaired for an entire month during the holidays. Washing Machine's and dryers are constantly broken down and they supply you with outdated ancient stove and refrigerator and refrigerator is not even a standard size I could go on and on. read more

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FINALLY got my security deposit back after moving out in September - for those still trying to get their deposit, keep following up!! I've been calling them every day, sometime multiple times each day, to get updates, press for answers, and move the process along Taina is nice and will try to help you - everyone else is incompetent. I think they're basically instructed to not give your money back unless you harass them for like 3 months. Keep trying and don't give up!! read more

Terrible. Does not respond to your call or email. Doesn't return security deposit. They have several names, obviously for shady reasons. BEWARE. Other names are: Fairline Associates LLC, Doral Associates. Realty seems to be Dynamik Realty. Avoid these names!!! read more

I would never signed the contract with them if I saw these comments before. And now I'm full of regret. Apart from all the negative comments you left above, it took them FOREVER to give back the direct deposit - the person who handled the return was so rude and irresponsible and acted the way like we owe her money! This is just so ridiculous! The whole shitty situation was totally a nightmare - I thought American is a civilized nation - I really did- until I dealt with this company. Or maybe it's just the person I'm dealing with. Zero rate I'd give if there is one. It's been three months and I'm still waiting for my don't-know-where-it-is direct deposit. This is my first ever YELP review. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. read more

I'd give these folks 0 stars if I could. DO NOT RENT FROM THEM. We left our unit on May 1 and still haven't received our security deposit back. The standard time frame in NYC is 21-45 days...well, now it's been more than 45 days and I'm still getting the runaround from them. (Oh, also? We got pretty close with a neighbor during the two years we lived in this building. He had a child in a wheelchair. From what I understand, NYC legally requires landlords to provide accomodations or assistance. He told me he'd been fighting for more than a year to get a ramp but the landlords were refusing. I don't know the details, but I saw him carrying that wheelchair up the steps to the building twice a day.) read more

I talked to someone who advised not paying the last month rent so you don't have to worry about getting your deposit withheld a long time. Everyone please LOOK UP YOUR APARTMENT'S OWNERS BEFORE YOU SIGN Some light reading on the Ohebshalom family https://nypost.com/2005/10/23/cops-barge-in-on-bad-landlord/ read more

77 days. Still no return of my security returned. Apparently the request has been made to the bank but the bank won't return the funds to empire. Sounds crazy. read more

If you are looking or live in their prosperities ask for a lower price! Our apartment was 3900 when we rented; we made them aware we would resign for 3000. They turned down our offer; it's now listed at 2100. read more

Empire Management - Ramin's response to your emails - Property Management Near Me - New York, New York

Have not received our deposit back after 2 months of moving out. Countless emails sent and even more phone calls were made. No response. These people are CHEATS and I really suspect fraudulent activity at play here. Staff and super were rude and inhumane. As I moved out with wheeling 6 suitcases by myself, the doorman did not even open the door for me and watched as I struggled and trip myself on the way out. Horrible experience. read more

A month and deposit is still not back. Same experience with Taina. Standard issue ghosting. Does anyone know how to get their deposit back?

We rented from Empire Management for 2 years. I have literally nothing positive to say about them. We limited our interaction to the landlords, because they were incredibly rude, sharky and dishonest. Example: the agent never even met us when we were looking. He directed us via phone to a building, had us let ourselves in to tour the place, etc., and was literally no help at all - but, of course, demanded his big fee for renting. Pure extortion. Empire ignores all but legally required maintenance requests. I have personally been yelled at and hung up on by their awful employees. Getting our security deposit back was, of course, full of drama. Their staff ignored my calls and emails and waited until literally the very last moment permissible under our lease agreement to release our deposit (which it turns out they'd had for a few weeks). Renting in NYC, you have few good options. So if you have to rent from Empire, just be ready. These people are scum. read more

Our apartment at 652 West 163rd street has tested positive for lead in a household where children under 6 reside. We've sent Empire Management (Taina) the report and they continue to state that they haven't received anything. The DOMH confirmed it was sent and received. We had the report on June 6th and they have done absolutely nothing to remedy the shoddy construction work that is causing the dust to come out of the unsealed areas between the floor and the walls. They are negligent, rude, and basically don't return emails or phone calls about no hot water, no heat, or no elevator service. Never rent from this company. Check out their violations on DOB and DOMH. The run the gamut. read more

Would love to give no stars. I truly wish I looked up the reviews before signing with them. A terrible mistake I made. I had probably 10 packages stolen from the "lobby" of my apartment building (it's a walk up) and emailed them to ask about what could be done, if the security camera worked, etc. All I was told was that it wasn't their problem. Since this winter, our heat and hot water has randomly gone out over 7 times. When I contact them they pass the buck. No one takes responsibility or gives a worthy response. Oh, and we were told that since "the pandemic is over" our rent was raised $2,000. Mice on the first floor, heat and hot water go out randomly, packages stolen, the list goes on. I hope the new tenants read this before signing. read more

They are literally the worst. Don't rent from here if you can help it. Once you sign the lease, you're pretty much on your own. Also avoid 509 W110th Street: dirty, smelly, old, poorly maintained. The Super, Frank, is actually a super-jerk bully who will avoid lifting a finger at all costs. The building's manager, Steve, will NEVER return your calls --I wonder if he even exists, and the office will not return your complete security deposit after 2 months because they're disorganized as hell. Nightmare!!! If I could give them MINUS 5 stars I would. You are warned.. read more

Don't do it. This is the worst management company in NYC. My building was never cleaned, elevator broke every other day, heating would suddenly stop working. They don't pick up the phone, they don't care. That cheap rent will cost you more. read more

Requested out of my lease at the end of January 2020 because my upstairs neighbors were threatening my safety. Ramin was not useful and basically didn't do anything; they didn't even talk to the neighbors. After reaching out to Taina at the office, she was very understanding and accommodating and let me out of my lease with little hassle. I was released from my lease at the end of February, and got it documented in writing via email that I would get my security deposit back and I wouldn't be penalized for breaking my lease. Now...where things went downhill: I still have not received my security deposit back and have been effectively ghosted by everyone at the company. I've left multiple voicemails to Ramin and Taina, and have emailed to follow up every couple of days - crickets. Per NYC laws, they are legally obligated to return my deposit within 14 days of vacancy (I vacated February 28th - it's been 2 months), and have now forfeited the rights to take any deductions. Additionally, I'm still getting bills to pay rent! I can't blame Ramin or Taina for my upstairs neighbors being shitty human beings, but I can rate them on their lack of desire to resolve my original concerns, and now illegally holding my deposit. read more

There is a gas leak in the apartment. The burners aren't working, there is consistent warmth over the stove, and the place smells like gas. Upon calling, the superintendent told us to "fix it ourselves" and hung up. During the winter, the building actually lost heat and hot water for 3 days, and no one was refunded. Again, during this time, the superintendent was extremely unhelpful and did not want to do his job. Live here at your own peril - - don't say we and the other Yelpers didn't warn you! read more

I currently live in an Empire bulding and I'm looking to get out. I have rats, no heat, my landlord said I was a bi*ch because I call too much. Our buzzard doesn't work and I just got a $300 dollar gas bill for an apartment that is under 40 degrees and all my oils and liquids in the kitchen have frozen. Please tell me if any of you were able to get out of your leases!!!! Worst Experience EVER read more

On top of poor customer relations, building maintenance is practically nonexistent. During the two years I have lived in a building managed by Empire, I have never encountered a helpful/respectful employee. I am truly disgusted by how they treat their customers. The combination of their lack of attention to issues needing repair and the way they treat people really makes for a miserable experience. If you can avoid Empire Management, Co, do so! read more

Avoid this management company like the plague. Our building (509 W 110th) has not had working gas for about three months. Nobody responds to update requests. Tenants have no idea when or if the building will ever have working gas again. The apartment is also not kept up at all -- check the NYC Housing Website that posts all the infractions. Hundreds of things need to be fixed (I personally have three major things in my apartment that LEGALLY needed to be fixed by 10/2017 that STILL have not been looked at--despite my constant calls/e-mails). I asked the super for updates and he said he couldn't get in contact with the management company for approval -- if even the super can't get in contact with management good luck getting in contact with them yourself! read more

515 West 110th St CROOKS, from the agent to the super to the "management" Agent Waqar, he took $4800 for finding this sh*t spot, then I was stuck in a 2 year lease. If he had shown me something where we would have been happy, I would have gladly paid his fee without contempt. Next, upon signing the lease with Waqar at the ATM machine (so he could collect all his cash), he told me everything was kosher and that if I didn't sign, it would go to the next guy. I mistakenly signed it by trusting him. The 2 weeks they promised for free, I never got those, I had to fight and prove that it was the offer, luckily I had the text where Waqar had promised it. Then the prison tattoo super Carlos, he wouldn't meet me to give me the keys. 3 days after I signed and paid, he finally met me briefly and that too, made me go get duplicates of the keys for him on my dime. Later on, his son would steal packages. When I complained about the lost package, the son intimidated my wife but we stood our ground. The rest of the super's nice family would randomly shut down the elevator whenever they would have a loud party for themselves in the basement. Ridiculous! Steve from good ole Empire Management would never return calls and after 6 times of repeatedly calling through the day, he finally came to the phone, yelled at me that he was busy and hung up. STAY AWAY read more

I wish we we could leave less than 1 star review, but never, never, rent from this company! We've lived here for two years and have had habitability issues for the last six months with no response. We've sent certified mail, emails, called... nothing. At this point we haven't had running water in our kitchen for over a month, no functioning elevator (and we live on the 7th floor) for 6 months, a fire that broke out in the middle of the night with no alarm and no evacuation, stolen packages from someone INSIDE the building, lack of COVID compliance... a dangerous, dangerous place to live with no actual management company to help! read more

Terrible management company, Steve Kurlander is a reprehensible person. We moved in 2 days after the apartment was supposed to be ready for us, and after arriving bright and early to park our moving truck in front of the building, the keys and super were nowhere to be found. A little while later after having been unsuccessful in reaching anyone who could help us, the painters arrived. The apartment had not yet been painted as promised - we had to move our stuff into piles in the middle of the apartment in order to allow the painters to paint around it and return our moving truck. Basement was roach infested, hot water would fluctuate between freezing and scalding unpredictably in shower. Elevator almost never worked, thankfully we lived on ground floor. read more

Do not rent an apartment from any building this company manages .heyn are negligent and unreachable at times, especially during emergencies.

If I could give them a zero star review, I would. Everything started out ok, the broker they provided was disorganized but the apartment seemed fine and I ended up signing as it was in a central location. The ONLY and BIGGEST problem I had was during move out. I notified them I was moving out at the end of my lease (end of March) and the replies I received seemed fine. I did not receive my security deposit until mid-June (date on check was written as 6/10/2020). Per NY state and the fine print on my lease- they should have sent me my security deposit within 14 DAYS. Trying to get my security deposit back was a nightmare. No response from either Tania and Ramin. I tried calling and emailing them multiple times. NOTHING. I even resorted to this yelp page and reached out to some individuals to see how they did it. Unfortunately, still no response. I was able to find some workarounds by looking for other people on their website and was finally able to get a response from someone at Empire aka Dynamik. Overall- do not trust these snakes. And if you do, good luck. read more

Absolutely impossible to communicate with. They don't return emails, you've won the lottery if they answer the phone and they will not come to fix your apartment. Very easy to obtain the keys, very hard to do anything else. Avoid at all costs. read more

Don't expect to receive your security deposit back without fighting every day. They just make up new excuses every time and hang up on you when they run out of imagination. As their only focus is to take your money they even chased me twice for July's rent when I had already left the apartment in June while THEY were the ones still owing me 2 months worth of rent. RUN AWAY ! read more

I rented 3 w 36th from empire management which then at some point turned to "Dynamik" real estate, I'm sure for some shady reason, and just as the other reviewers have claimed, do not rent from these people. I've been waiting over 2 months for my security and still going in circles with emails. It's not your money, it's not that difficult, just write a check and give it back. I also want to note that for the first 6 months I did not have hot water, or even warm water. They did "try" to fix it, however couldn't figure out the issue. When the super finally figured out it was an issue with my pipes, he then requested that I leave him a "big tip" for Xmas. Ummm, ok, sure buddy. Lastly, when it's time to move out and they are showing the apartment, expect to get emails from Michael S, that goes something like this... "I am showing the apartment at 4pm", not, "can I show the apt at 4pm", and he will show up, regardless if you want him to or not. These people are void of normal human decency and lack any and all type of proper communication. I also asked one of their assistants a question about a check and she went nuclear saying she didn't have time to check on that, writing me back all in caps. They act like animals. Truly. I'm now in the process of having my attorney help me retrieve my security deposit. There are plenty of other apartments in the city, do not waste your time here. read more

if i could give less than 1 star i would, these people are insane, threatening, rude people. i still dont have my security deposit back, it's been 6 months. do not rent from them read more

Apartment above mine flooded. Superintendent refused to help. Wouldn't even give us a ladder to drain the water in the light fixture. Mold began to grow on ceiling as a result. Superintendent refused to help. Called Empire to force his hand. His solution? Painting over the mold. Mold now growing through the paint. Can't get somebody to fix it. read more

I moved here from NZ and live at one of the newest development s The Greywood. and I have had nothing but great service from the people in our building and also the staff at Empire Management who look after my rent. Jackie is absolutely fabulous and such a kind lady, Taina on the reception is always lovely and friendly when I go in. The other person who works there and is always great to have a conversation with is Steven. I love my apartment and recently renewed my lease for another year -There were a few "teething issues" as is always the case with a new building but they have indeed been put right. The staff at The Greywood from the front desk, the super and the maintenance people are all so lovely and friendly. I am new to the US but after seeing issues other people have with their buildings and looking at options when my lease was coming up - all these factors above contributed to me re-signing. Empire Management have been very good to me as an alien in the US and the challenges that involves. read more

509 WEST 110TH Street NYC new York. Our elevator breaks every other day. The service records within the elevator don't reflect that it's being properly serviced. There are pregnant women walking up 7 stories, guys on crutches going up 11 stories, mothers carrying strollers and babies up 8 stories. This is unreal. Please fix or replace our elevator! read more

I too wish I could give a zero star. In fact, if there were an option that had flashing red warning lights I would check that as well. Possibly the worst management company we have ever had to deal with. Steve Kurlander "property manager" just about tops the charts with rude and unprofessional mannerisms. He will not take your phone calls, will not authorize repairs nor will he return your phone calls. The elevator in our building is constantly out of order, repairs are rarely fixed and when they are you can be assured you will be calling for them to re-fix it. Shoddy at best. We cannot wait to end our lease and be Empire Management free. I WARN anyone to reconsider renting an apartment from these "people". If you don't take our word for it visit their tenant alliance at www.shalomtenants.org and see for yourself. read more

Avoid if you can. Just the worst. "Fixed" our radiator by removing the control valve. Gym was ... not. Never again. read more

The receptionist who answers (212) 686-5252 is irrationally and consistently rude. The associate who handed us the lease tried to rush us to sign it, but we insisted that we take our time reading every clause. It was uncomfortable. The person who handles their deposit return took SEVERAL weeks vacation and Empire didn't care to have anyone cover for her. I had to wait until she returned to work to request my deposit back. My renter experience was fine but I cannot respect a company that operates with such disregard for kindness and compassion. One star. read more